Karachi, October 15, 2023 – Transporters across Pakistan are calling for the consistent and rigorous implementation of an axle load limit to prevent accidents caused by overloading.
Overloaded vehicles have led to a significant loss of life and have taken a toll on the nation’s highways.
Muhammad Owais Chaudhry, General Secretary of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association, emphasized the critical need for addressing overloading issues. He noted that every year, thousands of people lose their lives in accidents directly linked to overloading, which not only endangers lives but also contributes to the deterioration of national highways.
Chaudhry emphasized that enforcing an axle load limit is a standard practice worldwide, and there is no country where such a regulation is not in place. In the context of Pakistan, he stated that a small number of self-serving industrialists are opposing the imposition of axle load limits for their personal benefit, and this is a matter that urgently needs to be addressed to ensure road safety and infrastructure integrity.
Transporters are lending their full support to the decision to implement the axle load limit at ports, emphasizing its importance in curbing overloading. Chaudhry further stressed, “Our demand is that the National Highway Authority takes immediate action to operationalize all weigh stations.”
In addition to the ports, the call for strict enforcement of the axle load limit extends to Motorway M9, where overloaded vehicles should be systematically halted. The government is urged to ensure uniform and consistent enforcement of the axle load limit throughout Pakistan. Chaudhry emphasized that if this demand is not met, transporters will continue their protest to advocate for safer and more sustainable transportation practices.
The call for uniform enforcement of the axle load limit is a critical step towards preventing accidents and preserving the country’s vital transportation infrastructure. Transporters are resolute in their demand for these measures to be put in place promptly and consistently to protect lives and the nation’s highways.
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